Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable called Watford a “real success story” during a visit to the town today.

The MP was in the area to officially launch his party’s campaign and support Councillor Peter Taylor’s bid to be elected the next Mayor of Watford.

He put housing and education at the heart of his pitch ahead of next month's polls.

People in the area have been left dismayed by the sheer number of tower blocks built in the area, including in Ascot Road and Clarendon Road.

But Mr Cable says councils under Liberal Democrat control have stood up to developers and lent money to housing associations.

Watford Observer:

“First of all, you have to have a balance between high-rise, medium-rise and low rise,” he said.

“My first Baptism of fire in politics was in Glasgow where we had a lot of high-rise buildings and many were not successful.

“They had the wrong mix of tenants. Young children were at the top of 23 storey flats without proper play facilities and without concierges.

“If tenant management policies are right and you have proper allocation of green spaces, you have to have proper infrastructure and good planning.”

When asked about overcrowding and how the area would cope with extra homes, he said: “There’s a growing demand for housing which has to be met.

“If it isn’t met, the younger generation won’t be able to get on the property ladder at all.

“Houses need to be built. Watford has a good track record for that and is very proactive. It provides homes for young people to rent, retirement homes for older people.”

Cllr Taylor added: "We are a growing town and face huge pressure from central government to build more and more houses.

"We want to build the right homes in the right place but we must have the infrastructure to cope with this - better transport, more school places and a bigger hospital.

"We also need to work with our neighbouring councils to look at building new garden villages.

"That would mean that we could have new homes but at the same time make sure that we are creating communities with all the facilities that they need.

"We cannot just squeeze developments in here and there forever."

Mr Cable lent his support to Mr Taylor, who hopes to take the reins from current Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, as she prepares to step down after 16 years.

It is one of the only areas in the country which has an elected mayor and Cllr Taylor will go up against Conservative George Jabbour and Labour’s Jagtar Singh Dhindsa.

He said: “Watford is a well-run town, a well-run city. It’s got a good, balanced community and it’s a real success story. It has a good local government.

“Watford is important politically. Dorothy has built up a good reputation and I hope Peter will replace her.

“Clearly a lot of people will be watching that contest. We have every reason to be proud of what we are doing.”